Genshin Impact: This fireplace house is your graveyard.

Chapter 12 Confusion Doesn't Solve Problems

"But all of this is just imagination. After burying my parents, I don't know where to go next."

"Once, I nearly lost my life while dealing with a baby rock dragon, watching it slowly approach."

"But I was already too weak to fight anymore. Seeing this scene, I was filled with resentment. My great revenge was not yet fulfilled, and I was about to die here."

"Before I passed out, I saw the baby rock dragon lizard get hit by something; it looked like some kind of fire elemental projectile."

"When I woke up again, I was already in the House of Hearths," Tian Yaochen said with a smile.

"During my time at the Hearth House, my mother was very kind to me. She was very gentle, and even when the children did something wrong, she never got angry but patiently taught us."

After hearing Tian Yaochen's story, Qiuhe felt deeply regretful. How could someone who had experienced such a childhood remain so cheerful?

The more wonderful a childhood is, the greater the blow when it is lost. Thinking about this, Qiuhe suddenly felt that her own childhood wasn't so bad after all.

"And you, Lei Yi? How did you join the Hearth House?" Qiu He looked at Tian Yaochen, who was also looking at him.

Each time I wanted to speak, I swallowed the words back, hesitating for a long time.

"My father and I were on our way to Liyue to discuss business when we encountered a group of treasure hunters. My mother passed away shortly after giving birth to me."

"My father and I depended on each other for survival, but he lost his life protecting me. In a panic, I ran to the snowy mountains. The mountains were very cold, and I fainted. When I woke up, I was in the House by the Hearth."

Qiuhe wondered what difference it would make even if he told Tian Yaochen the truth.

I've also thought about what it would be like if one day, someone suddenly walked into my life and told me about my mother who has always been so good to me.

The mother who loved him like an angel was actually a twisted devil.

If it were me, I would never believe it, no matter what. Who would believe it, and who would want to believe it?

"This life is as absurd as a dream. Or perhaps I committed heinous sins in a past life."

"The captain's acting like a chuunibyou again," Kailer and Cindy said, sitting down next to Tian Yaochen.

"Hmph, those two traitors still know how to return..." Before Tian Yaochen could finish speaking, Cindy stuffed a macaron into his mouth.

"Okay, Captain, don't be angry. Try these macarons Navia made."

"Mmm, mmm, mmm, delicious!" Cindy and Kelly exchanged a smile at their captain's eating habits.

Qiuhe gazed at the tranquil sea. A gentle breeze carried the sweetness of the air, and seagulls cried out in the sky, as if telling their own stories.

Under the influence of this atmosphere, one can't help but let their mind wander, thinking about this version of themselves.

Can one truly hold onto what they perceive as a beautiful life? They want to protect the beauty before them, yet they are also overwhelmed by their own weakness. They feel powerless.

Thinking back to that day, with just one move, I exhausted all my strength, and then, because of my desires, I almost fell into an endless abyss.

I long to soar across the valley, yet I cannot spread my wings. I yearn to cross the abyss before me, but facing it, I feel so small, as if I could be swallowed up at any moment.

He can't protect anyone now, yet he shamelessly claims he'll rewrite history. He needs others to help him overcome his fear of water. Can someone like him really save them all?

Qiuhe's spirits were sinking lower and lower when suddenly two small hands covered her eyes from behind. "Guess who I am?" Hearing this, Qiuhe suddenly felt much better.

"I bet it's Navia!" Navia was overjoyed and hugged Qiuhe from behind. "You guessed right!?"

Hearing Navia's cheerful laughter strengthened Qiuhe's resolve. The more you fear losing something, the more likely you are to lose it; you'll never know the outcome if you never try. Confusion will only entangle your feet, preventing you from moving forward.

Watching the two interact, Clementine felt a lump in her throat for some reason; she had felt the same way when Navia hugged Qiuhe earlier.

"Lily, are you carrying the ball?"

"Of course I brought it! They knew we were coming to the beach, how could we not bring a ball?"

"Lei Yi!" Qiu He heard someone calling him from behind and turned around, only to find a ball already in front of him. "Thump!" The ball hit Qiu He on the head, causing him to lean back slightly.

"Yes! Beautiful Pepe scored a goal!"

At this moment, Tian Yaochen, who was standing nearby, saw this scene and immediately stood up. "Damn it! How could they do such a despicable sneak attack while someone was distracted? Don't worry, Le Yi, I will avenge you. If you have the guts, let's have a duel!"

Peruvelli's red "X" in her eyes turned even redder, and Tian Yaochen immediately shifted his focus, "I mean... Clevi, do you dare accept my challenge?"

Claire looked at Tian Yaochen with a provocative and teasing smile.

Then, Chehui quickly snatched the ball from Claire's hand, took two steps forward, gripped the ball tightly with both hands, crushed it instantly, flexed her fingers, and said in a deep voice, "Okay."

Upon seeing this, Tian Yaochen froze for two seconds before turning around and quickly walking to Qiuhe. He placed one hand on Qiuhe's shoulder and gave a big thumbs-up with the other.

"Le Yi, a real man stands tall and proud. I believe you can avenge the humiliation you just suffered. Go for it!"

"Hehe, a true man can bend and stretch."

Lily had gathered everyone together to play beach ball one last time before they parted ways, but Tian Yaochen, ever the brazen one, started another fight.

"Alright, today I'll show you my ball skills, as powerful as a towering cliff, shaking the heavens."

In the end, everyone unanimously decided that Che Hui, Qiu He, Xin Di Si, Tian Yao Chen, and Li Li would form a group of five.

Clarinde, Navia, Clementine, Keller, and Peruvieri, in groups of five.

"How about we redefine it? This kind of intense beach ball sport is usually played between boys and girls."

"Not to mention, Captain, you even put the two strongest girls, Chehui and Lily, into your group. That's unfair to Navia."

Tian Yaochen also looked at Kaile with disdain, giving him the look of someone looking at a sycophant. "No, whose side are you on?"

Kailer took off his glasses, his face darkening, and said, "How dare you ask?" Tian Yaochen also turned his head away guiltily.

"I...uh...Peluvelli is still with you guys, right? Maybe he can turn things around all by himself, right?"

Navia then laughed loudly and said, "Don't underestimate me! I've never lost a dribbling game against Miles, Silver, and my dad!"

When Qiuhe and his group heard "dribbling," they were immediately stunned. Seeing their reactions, Navia added, "What's wrong? We're not playing dribbling."

"Yeah, that's great. Forget the rules and lineups, even the way we play the ball needs to be changed."

Peruvelli glared at Tian Yaochen expressionlessly, and Tian Yaochen immediately looked away, avoiding her gaze.

"Tian Yaochen seems very afraid of Peruvée's eyes."

Lily explained the rules: "Each person has 20 balls in their basket. Taking someone else's ball and putting it in your own basket scores 1 point."

"The team leaders are Navia, Clementine, myself, Kelly, and Leyi. Whoever gets the most balls in their basket in 10 minutes wins."

After saying that, she blindfolded everyone. The group now consists of (Claurind, Navia), (Akikawa, Chee), (Lily, Tian Yaochen), (Cindy, Keira), and (Krevy, Peruvieri).

"Stop! I protest! Why aren't I in a group with Le Yi?" Qie Hui glanced at Tian Yaochen and casually remarked. "Protest denied."

With Chehui's protest proving ineffective, the game officially began. "Clorind, move forward, forward, yes, forward, stop, now to the left front."

"Alright, Tian Yaochen, just pick up the ball and walk to the back."

"Um, are you really okay? Or, should I do it?"

"What are you saying, Yaochen? You have to believe me, there's absolutely no problem."

"I have a bad feeling about this."

Tian Yaochen was walking when he bumped into Qie Hui.

"Uh, sorry."

When Tian Yaochen cuts to the left, Hui cuts to the right; when Tian Yaochen cuts to the right, Hui cuts to the left. The two remained locked in this stalemate for a long time.

Tian Yaochen sensed something was wrong and swallowed hard. "Uh... Lily. Are you... still there?"

At this moment, Che Hui slowly raised her hand and grabbed Tian Yaochen. History always repeats itself, just like when Lily grabbed Tian Yaochen last time.

Same technique, same method, same angle. The only difference was the person throwing. Qie Huimeng gathered his strength like he was hitting a golf ball, and threw Tian Yaochen directly out.

Tian Yaochen flew through the air like a javelin, tracing a perfect parabola, and directly entered Qi Huiyi's basket.

Lily then spoke up directly.

"I hereby declare Tian Yaochen out of the competition for sleeping during the match."

Those on the field who were blindfolded had no idea what was happening.

Those with their eyes open were already frozen in place by the lightning.

Besides Lily